Chapter 421 - 418: Total Annihilation
Chapter 421: Chapter 418: Total Annihilation
Fang Han drew his sword.
A body fell to the ground.
And with that, all six Stewards of the Netherworld Pavilion were dead.
Only a brief moment had passed from the time Fang Han attacked to the annihilation of all six Stewards.
The Netherworld Pavilion disciples had already scattered and fled the moment the Stewards ordered a retreat.
But could they escape?
Fang Han’s gaze swept over the black-clad figures fleeing in all directions, and he moved again.
He didn’t give chase. Instead, he simply raised his right hand and swung the Cloud Splitting Sword through the air.
A condensed azure stream of Sword Qi shot through the air. Though launched second, it arrived first, instantly catching up to the three Netherworld Pavilion disciples at the head of the retreat.
"PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!"
Three dull thuds sounded out almost simultaneously.
The three Netherworld Pavilion disciples fell to the ground, each with a deep sword gash on their back.
"WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!"
Fang Han didn’t break his stride. He continued to dash forward, swinging his sword as he went.
With every swing, one or more Netherworld Pavilion disciples would fall.
The highest Cultivation among those disciples was merely the Seventh Grade. Before Fang Han, they were like weeds to be cut down.
In just a few moments, more than ten Netherworld Pavilion disciples had been slain by his Sword Qi.
The three Qingxuan Sect Stewards, forcing their injured bodies to move, also joined the pursuit.
Though severely wounded, they were more than capable of dealing with the panicked, fleeing disciples of the Netherworld Pavilion.
The Qingxuan Sect disciples who had been surrounded now snapped back to their senses, grabbing their weapons and chasing after the escaping enemies.
Screams of agony and pleas for mercy rose and fell throughout the woods.
But the only response they received was the cold steel of blades.
A short while later, the last scream from a Netherworld Pavilion disciple was cut short.
The forest floor was littered with bodies, lying every which way.
Fresh blood soaked the ground, and the heavy stench of iron filled the air.
Fang Han sheathed his sword and stood his ground, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings.
Six Netherworld Pavilion Stewards and over twenty of their disciples had all been executed.
Not one had escaped.
The three Qingxuan Sect Stewards had collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.
The female Steward, who looked like a beautiful middle-aged woman, had a wound on her left shoulder that was still seeping blood. Her face was as pale as paper, but her eyes...
...held a mixture of gratitude, shock, and an indescribable complexity.
"True... True Inheritor Fang... Thank you for your help."
"There’s no need for formalities. Tend to your wounds first."
Fang Han said with a slight shake of his head.
The female Steward took a Jade Bottle from her robes, tipped two Elixirs into her mouth, then took out some cloth strips and hastily bandaged her wound.
The other two Stewards also took Healing Elixirs and tended to their own injuries.
As for the Qingxuan Sect disciples, some were treating the wounded, some were collecting the bodies of their fallen comrades, and others simply stared at Fang Han in a daze, their eyes filled with awe.
After a moment, the female Steward caught her breath, stood up, and gave Fang Han a deep bow.
"I am Shen Qingzhu. Thank you for saving my life, True Inheritor Fang!"
Her voice was hoarse, but it carried heartfelt gratitude.
The other two Stewards also hurried to their feet and bowed.
"Thank you for saving our lives, True Inheritor Fang!"
The Qingxuan Sect disciples followed suit, their voices in unison.
"There’s no need for such ceremony. I have urgent business and cannot stay long. Be careful from now on."
Fang Han nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
After bidding farewell to the three Stewards and the dozen or so disciples, Fang Han did not continue on his journey.
His Inner Qi had been greatly depleted from the earlier travel and the recent battle. Less than thirty percent of the azure-gold Inner Qi remained in his meridians.
If he were to rush to Celestial Swan City in this state and encounter Yuan Zhan, his chances of survival would be slim.
He found a secluded mountain hollow, densely surrounded by trees and difficult to spot.
He sat cross-legged on a large green stone, took out a Jade Bottle, and tipped an Earth Spirit Pill into his mouth.
The Elixir entered his stomach and transformed into a warm Medicinal Power that spread through his meridians.
Fang Han closed his eyes and slowly began to circulate the Cyan Profound Technique.
The azure-gold Inner Qi coursed through his meridians, absorbing and refining the pure medicinal power from the Earth Spirit Pill, rapidly replenishing what he had consumed.
Time passed in silence.
The mountain wind rustled through the treetops, and the occasional chirp of a bird could be heard in the distance.
More than two hours later, Fang Han slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them before disappearing.
His Inner Qi had returned to its peak state. The azure-gold energy surged ceaselessly through his meridians, even more vibrant and abundant than before.
He stood up and stretched his limbs.
’Time to go.’
After determining the direction of Celestial Swan City, Fang Han’s figure flickered. He executed the Wind and Cloud Escape technique, transforming into a streak of pale azure light that vanished into the vast mountain forest.
...
「One day later.」
The outline of Celestial Swan City appeared at the edge of his vision.
The city was situated in a valley between two mountains. Its walls were built from massive bluish-gray stones, standing about seventy or eighty feet tall. While not as imposing as the Commandery City, it still possessed a certain grandeur.
At the city gates, a constant stream of people and carriages flowed in and out. The din of the crowd could be heard from a great distance.
Fang Han slowed his pace, his eyes scanning the city.
According to the Sect’s records, Celestial Swan City had once been an unremarkable small town with a population of just a few tens of thousands.
Twenty years ago, someone discovered a gold mine in the nearby mountains. When the news spread, various factions mobilized, and miners, merchants, and Martial Artists flocked to the area.
In just a few short years, the small town had expanded more than tenfold, becoming one of the few major cities in Qingyang County.
Today, its population exceeded one million. While not as prosperous as the Commandery City, it far surpassed any ordinary county seat.
Fang Han did not enter the city.
The Qingxuan Sect’s operations in Celestial Swan City were not located within the city itself, but at a gold mine thirty li north of it.
He skirted the city walls and continued along a main road leading into the mountains.
On both sides of the road, horse-drawn carts transporting ore could be seen coming and going. Their axles creaked and groaned, and the horses pulling them panted heavily, clearly bearing heavy loads.
When the cart drivers saw Fang Han’s green-robed attire, their gazes lingered on the longsword at his waist for a moment before they quickly looked away, not daring to stare.
About an hour later, a sprawling mining complex appeared ahead.
The mine was built against a mountain. Its perimeter was enclosed by a simple fence made of thick wooden posts. Inside the fence were several dozen wooden houses and a few simple work sheds.
In the deepest part of the complex, the dark mouths of several mine shafts gaped open, with miners pushing carts in and out from time to time.
At the entrance to the mine stood a crude wooden gatehouse. A wooden plaque hung on it, inscribed with the three words "Cyan Profound Mine."
On either side of the gatehouse stood two young men dressed in Qingxuan Sect Disciple’s Robes, weapons hanging from their waists, their gazes warily scanning everyone who passed.
Fang Han walked forward.
"Halt! This is the property of the Qingxuan Sect. Unauthorized personnel are not to approach!"
Seeing someone approaching, one of the gate guards shouted, his hand already on the hilt of his saber.
Fang Han raised his eyes and looked at him.
The disciple got a clear look at Fang Han’s face, then glanced at the dark azure longsword at his waist and froze for a moment.
Immediately, the wary expression on his face transformed into one of pleasant surprise and awe.
"Senior... Senior Brother Fang Han?!"
"It’s me."
Fang Han nodded slightly.
"The Sect sent me to reinforce Elder Wu Zheng."
"The Elder is in a Quiet Chamber recovering from his injuries. I’ll take you to him right away, Senior Brother!"
The disciple quickly bowed, stepped aside to clear the path, and led the way.
Fang Han followed him into the mining complex.
Inside, many disciples in Qingxuan Sect attire were busy at work.
Upon seeing Fang Han, they were first taken aback, then they all bowed in greeting, their eyes filled with reverence.
Fang Han nodded in acknowledgment without breaking his stride.
They passed several rows of wooden houses and arrived at a relatively isolated cabin in the deeper part of the complex.
The cabin was not large. Its door and windows were shut tight, and two disciples stood guard outside with solemn expressions.
"Senior Brother Fang Han has come on the Sect’s orders to provide reinforcement. He wishes to see Elder Wu Zheng."
the guiding disciple said to the two guards.
The two guards exchanged a look, and one of them quickly bowed.
"Please wait a moment, Senior Brother Fang. I will go and announce you."
With that, he turned, walked to the cabin door, and knocked gently.
Inside the cabin, the light was dim, with only a little brightness filtering through a small window.
A pale-faced, middle-aged man sat cross-legged on a simple wooden couch, his eyes slightly closed, his aura fluctuating unstably.
He wore the Elder Robe of the Qingxuan Sect, and faint dark bloodstains were visible on the collar, indicating he was not lightly injured.
This was none other than the Qingxuan Sect Elder stationed at the Celestial Swan City gold mine, Wu Zheng.
Inside his body, the Profound Ice True Scripture slowly circulated, working with the Medicinal Power of a Jade Dew Pill to mend his damaged meridians and organs bit by bit.
In his battle against Yuan Zhan, he had fought with all his might but was ultimately defeated and forced to retreat with severe injuries, as his opponent’s Cultivation was higher.
"COUGH, COUGH..."
Wu Zheng coughed lightly, his brow furrowed.
Yuan Zhan may have retreated, but given his methods, he would surely be back.
And with his injuries, it would take several days of recuperation before he could recover his fighting strength.
’If Yuan Zhan attacks again during this time...’
As he was pondering this, a soft knock came from the door, followed by the voice of the guard disciple:
"Elder, the reinforcements from the Sect have arrived."
Wu Zheng opened his eyes, and a glimmer of relief flashed through his pupils, which had been dull from his injuries.
He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, ending his round of cultivation and healing.
"It’s good that they’re here."
He muttered to himself, pushing himself up from the wooden couch. He straightened his slightly disheveled robes and walked toward the door.
He was ready to hand things over to the Elder sent by the Sect. After the handover, he could finally focus on his recovery without worrying about the mine’s safety.
The wooden door opened with a CREAK.
Wu Zheng stepped out, his gaze naturally passing over the guard at the door and falling on the person standing not far away.
Then, he paused.
The visitor was dressed in a green robe with a longsword at his waist, and his face was exceedingly young—he looked to be in his early twenties at most.
It wasn’t one of the senior Elders he had been expecting, but—
"I am True Disciple Fang Han. Greetings, Elder Wu."
Fang Han took a step forward and clasped his hands in a salute, his voice steady.
Wu Zheng’s gaze rested on Fang Han for a moment, and a faint flicker of disappointment deep in his eyes vanished as quickly as it appeared.
He gave a slight nod in return.
"True Inheritor Fang, thank you for coming."
His voice was flat, betraying no emotion, but beneath the polite facade, a hint of disappointment could be felt.
Fang Han’s expression remained unchanged.
He could sense Wu Zheng’s disappointment. It was the natural letdown one feels after having high expectations, only to find the person who arrived was not who they had hoped for. Anyone would have felt the same.
He wasn’t surprised by it.
A Netherworld Pavilion Elder at the Late Stage of the Third Grade was watching them like a tiger, ready to strike again at any moment. Wu Zheng had been desperately hoping the Sect would send a senior Elder of comparable strength to hold the fort.
But instead, they had sent a True Disciple who had joined the Sect just over two years ago. Although he was ranked sixth on the Celestial Pride List and considered top-level among the younger generation, he was, in the end, still just of the younger generation.
Disappointment was only natural.